Patchwork in Prague

Price

From £525

Leaving on

04/04/2019

Arriving back on

07/04/2019

Location

Prague

Fly from Gatwick and Dublin

Images L-R Yuza; Jana Sterbova; Wil Fritsma

Join us for a long weekend of patchworking, sightseeing and textile inspiration in the magical city of Prague. This tour combines entry to the unmissable Prague Patchwork Meeting with a unique opportunity to learn how our ancestors produced textiles and plenty of time to explore the winding streets of the historic Czech capital.

With almost 1,000 textile art works on show, The Prague Patchwork Meeting boasts the biggest display of combined textile techniques in Central and Eastern Europe. Now in its 13th edition, the show attracts exhibitors and visitors from across the world, each of them keen to share their love all things quilting. The 2019 edition will feature more than 30 collections from all over the world, including Japan's YUZU Sashiko Guild and Susan Briscoe, the Netherland's Willyne Hammerstein with Millefiori Quilts and Germany's Birgit Schuller.

You can also look forward to a busy programme of workshops on a huge range of topics from the creative use of scraps to the art of English paper piercing and a host of retailers selling a dizzying array of fabrics, tools, textile accessories, sewing machines and yarn. PLEASE NOTE, THE WORKSHOPS MUST BE BOOKED DIRECTLY WITH THE ORGANISERS. MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE HERE

So, whether you are an experienced quilter looking for new inspiration, or a novice hoping to pick up some tips, this show is guaranteed to have plenty to offer. So much in fact that our programme includes a three day pass.

Known as the ‘city of 100 spires’, Prague is a UNESCO monument and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. We have arranged a half day guided tour of the most important sites, including:

Old Town Square – one of Europe’s biggest and most beautiful open spaces, this has been Prague’s principal public square since the 10th century. A medieval gem, its undisputed highlight is the Astronomical Clock.Every hour, hundreds of tourists from all over the world gather, cameras at the ready, outside the Old Town Hall to enjoy a fascinating mechanical performance which, in the Middle Ages, was considered one of the wonders of the world. Even in our high tech age, the clock's procession of Apostles and moving statues still manages to amaze everyone who sees it.

Charles Bridge, commissioned in 1357 by Charles IV and completed in 1402, this pedestrian bridge is lined with statues of Catholic saints. The most famous is the monument to St John of Nepomuk who, according to legend, was dressed in armour and thrown off the bridge on the orders of Wenceslas IV for refusing to divulge the queen’s confessions. A bronze cross on a parapet between statues 17 and 19 marks the point where he was thrown off.

Prague Castle towers over Vltava’s left bank, its spires, towers and palaces dominating the city centre like a fairy tale fortress. Reputedly the largest ancient castle in the world (it covers an area bigger than seven football fields), it comprises historic buildings, museums and galleries housing some of the Czech Republic’s finest artistic and cultural treasures.

You will also have time to explore Prague at your leisure. Don't miss theLangweil model of Prague at the City of Prague Museum. Handmade in cardboard between 1826 and 1837, it provides unique evidence of how the Old Town, Malá Strana and Prague Castle looked before the redevelopment of Prague at the end of the 19th and start of the 20th centuries. The recently re-opened Museum of Decorative Arts is another gem. Home to wonderful collections of textiles, jewellery and ceramics, it also boasts one of the most extensive glass collections in Europe.

Shoppers should head for the historic centre where global brands mix with unique antique stores and independent boutiques specialising in traditional Czech glass, porcelain and jewellery.

And when you’ve had your fill of culture and commerce, you can take a break in one of the city's many cafes and bars. Prague is famous for its beer, with around 35 breweries dotted around the city. The best way to sample what’s made here is at a tasting bar such as Pivo a Párek in Vinohrady, where draught and bottled specials are served with pieces of sausage sourced from small suppliers. With its original Art Deco interior,Café Slavia offers a taste of old Prague and a table-side view of Vltava River, Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and the National Theatre.

This fascinating, 90 minute workshop takes place at the City of Prague of Museum and is lead by one of the museum's experts. There will be an English speaking interpreter present throughout.

The workshop begins with a short introductory talk outlining the various periods of pre-history and looking at the garments people wore at the time. You will have the chance to handle original archaeological finds, including ancient stone scrapers and bone punches, prehistoric jewellery such as needles, buckles, bracelets and belts and the various materials from which garments were made.

You will also be able to have a go at various ancient techniques, including threading with a hand spindle as was traditional until the invention of the spinning wheel, Stick Weaving and weaving on a vertical loom, You will be able to take the threads and fabric swatches you produce home at the end of the session.

*PLEASE NOTE, THIS WORKSHOP CARRIES AN ADDITIONAL FEE OF £10 AND HAS A MAXIMUM CAPACITY OF 25. (MINIMUM SIZE 4)

Located in the heart of the city, just 10 minutes' walk from Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, this 4*, 19th century neo-baroque hotel offers 169 air-conditioned rooms, a bar and a brasserie-style restaurant with a summer terrace. The great writer Franz Kafka officiated as an insurer here between 1908 and 1922.

Arrive at Prague airport, meet and greet and coach transfer to Century Old Town hotel

1800 - Welcome drink at the hotel with the rest of the group and your Tour Manager

Remainder of evening at leisure

Friday 5th April

Breakfast at the hotel

Coach transfer to the 13th International Prague Patchwork Meeting at the Wellness Hotel Step

Late afternoon coach transfer back to the hotel

Evening at leisure

Saturday 6th April

Breakfast at the hotel

0930-1330: Half-day city highlights tour with a local, English-speaking guide. Please note, we will leave the hotel by coach but there is quite a lot of walking so comfortable shoes are recommended. The tour includes a visit to Prague Castle, after which you will walk down to Charles Bridge and Old Town Square with its famous Astronomical Clock.

1530-1700: Either optional workshop 'How did Fashion Look in Pre-History?' at the City of Prague Museum. There will be a English interpreter.*

The museum is a short walk from the hotel. Your Tour Manager will accompany you there, leaving the hotel at approximately 3pm,

*Please note, the workshop carries an additional charge of £10 and has a maximum capacity of 25 people. (Minimum 4)

Or time at leisure. If you wish to return to the Prague Patchwork Meeting, it is easily accessible by subway. The station is a short walk from the hotel.

Sunday 7th April

Breakfast at the hotel and check out

Those flying to Gatwick will take the coach transfer to Prague airport for their return flight to the UK

Those flying to Dublin will have a morning at leisure in Prague before taking the coach transfer to Prague Airport

All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or, for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate, go to www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate.

Our ATOL number is ATOL 6545. ATOL Protection extends primarily to customers who book and pay in the United Kingdom.

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easyJet flights from Gatwick, £550* per person

Aer Lingus flights from Dublin, £525* per person.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

* Prices are shown per person and based on 2 guests sharing a twin/double room. easyJet and Aer Lingus flights do not include hold luggage or seat reservations. Please enquire on booking if you wish to take hold luggage or reserve your seat.

Single room supplement: £105

Optional workshop: £10

Prices are subject to change until payment has been made and are updated regularly to reflect increases in airline costs